by KB Meniado

This may be a little late for National Children’s Book Day, but since we’re still celebrating Bookbed’s eight year (join our giveaway here), here are eight books I loved as a kid. I can still remember the first time I picked up each one of these (and all those times I dog-eared them), and I am so thankful for having had the privilege to start the reading habit at an early age. Reading has helped shape me as a person—and I’d like to believe I turned out okay—so if you have the access or can provide opportunities to get the young ones into the habit, do it! (Related: “5 Ways on How Reading Makes A Difference”)

1. My Bible Friends, Love, from the Fifth-Grade Celebrity by Patricia Reilly Giff

Illustrated Bible storybooks made going to Sunday school enjoyable (I was a kid, I wanted to be in the playground -_-), while Love…, a story about friendship, was the book that planted the idea of “maybe I can also write a story like this” in my head.

2. A Treasury of Fairy Tales

Remember those days when publishing companies sent salespeople on ~door-to-door missions? Thanks to them, I got this beautiful classic, which I’m guessing is also in your shelf.

3. Encyclopedia, Multiplication Table Book

Also acquired through the door-to-door missions. My parents must have had thought there needed to be balance (I was going to school, after all) and got these too. The encyclopedias had short paragraphs and bursts of trivia—very child-friendly. Dial a Times Table had poems and colorful spinning wheels I enjoyed.

4. Adarna Books

Speaking of door-to-door missions, they went to schools too. The salespeople would give out a book list to bring home to the parents, and then the next day, they would return to sell us the books, given the parents’ approval. Tiger on the Wall is about an imaginary friend; There’s A Snake in the House is about figuring out a mystery; Ang Barumbadong Bus is about learning about consequences; and The Crocodile and the Colorful Headbands is based on a Philippine folklore and teaches humility and empathy. (Related: “10 Filipino Children’s Books Celebrating Moms”)

5. Foreign story books like Dear Barbie and The Berenstain Bears

6. The ~classics, such as Roald Dahl books and Alice in Wonderland

7. Comics

Aside from these Disney comics, I also had Florante at Laura, Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo and Pilipino Funny Komiks (featuring Super Blag! and Eklok, my childhood idols~).

8. Nido collectibles

If you grew up in the ’90s, you probably collected these as well. Nido is a milk brand in the Philippines, and during that time, they had story books, coloring books and trivia books as freebies in every box. (Related: “Storiesnap Time: Tales From Around the World”)

Which one of these you had as a child? What were your favorites? Will you read them to your children as well? Share your story in the comments below! ☁️